Jessica Biel has been honest about the challenge of raising her two kids in the world of showbiz, calling it a “tricky balance.”
The 43-year-old actress and wife of Justin Timberlake, 44, opened up about how she and Justin juggle keeping their family life normal while occasionally stepping into the spotlight with their kids.
Jessica and Justin have two boys: Silas, 10, and Phineas, 4. Recently, Jessica talked about their decision to bring Silas to the 2024 US Open, an event that got plenty of media attention. Silas is a huge tennis fan, and his enthusiasm was a big factor in deciding to take him along, but Jessica admits it wasn’t an easy choice. “We do really try hard not to expose them in a way that they’re not comfortable with,” she said.
Despite Silas still being young, Jessica said they involved him in the conversation about going to the tennis tournament. They talked about how the media would react and asked if he was okay with photographers around. “He can’t make these decisions on his own, but at this point, we can at least discuss what his opinion is around it,” she explained. Even with the concerns, Jessica said they had a good time together.
Jessica and Justin have always tried to keep their kids out of the public eye. For years, they’ve avoided exposing Silas and Phineas to the glare of showbiz life. However, in August 2023, Jessica made an exception by bringing Silas to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens to watch a match between Karolina Muchova and Naomi Osaka. Photos from the outing caught public attention, but Jessica said she’s still cautious about how much exposure they allow.
The actress is clear about her worries over public scrutiny and social media, saying she’s firmly against introducing her children to the social media world anytime soon. As for the kids’ potential future in the entertainment industry, Jessica hopes they wait until they’re adults. She mentioned that if Silas were a kid actor, he’d probably be working all the time. “When you’re 18 years old, you want to be a professional? Have at it. That’s your choice. That’s what I would like to hold on to, if possible, for him,” she said.
Jessica also revealed the family’s decision to move away from the West Coast was largely about escaping paparazzi. Speaking on the Let’s Talk Off Camera podcast in 2024, she said, “We get hammered [by the paparazzi] on the West Coast. That’s why we don’t live there anymore to try and create some normalcy.” She added that it’s a personal choice for their family and maybe not for everyone, but it works for them.
Balancing the demands of showbiz and parenting is no walk in the park, but Jessica Biel clearly takes it seriously. She wants to give her kids normal experiences while protecting them from the pitfalls of fame. It’s a tough line to walk, but Jessica and Justin seem committed to figuring it out as they go.
